Derek Miller, Aberdeen Central, Basketball

April 17, 2007|By Ryan Deal, American News Sports Writer

No one thought the Aberdeen Central boys' basketball team would be in the state championship game, except for the Golden Eagles. Aberdeen Central lost to Sioux Falls O'Gorman, 53-49, in the State AA boys' basketball tournament title game. Derek Miller finished the tournament by scoring 27 points and was the floor general for the Golden Eagles. For his efforts, he has been chosen as the American News Athlete of the Week. The Golden Eagles came into the tournament as the No. 6 seed. “It is always our goal to get there,” said Aberdeen Central coach Brent Norberg. “Our number one goal going down was to be loose and play as hard as possible and have fun and see what happens. We did that and we ended up in the finals.” Aberdeen Central defeated Yankton 63-59 in double overtime in the first round and defeated No. 2 seed Sioux Falls Lincoln 59-49 in the semifinals. Miller knew the team had a good chance of making it to the championship game because a key ingredient was added back to the mix before the tournament. “I knew we would do good with Shane (Cunningham) back,” said Miller about his 6-foot-2 junior teammate who battled injuries and illnesses during the season. “At the beginning of the year with Shane, we were beating some of the top teams. He got hurt and we struggled. He came back and we won three straight. He got hurt again and he was back for state and we made it to the championship.” Miller, an All-Eastern South Dakota Conference pick, played an important role all season for his team as did his senior teammates Michael Babcock, Travis Kamm and Jordan Foster. “Derek is our point guard and he gets us going,” said Norberg. “He did a great job, like he has done all year by making the big shots and getting the ball to the guys who needed it.” At the state tournament Miller received respect from the opposing teams. “When he fouled out in the championship game, 7,000 people were standing on their feet - including the opposing crowd - giving him a standing ovation,” said Norberg. “I have been to a lot of state tournaments. I have never seen anything like that.” “That made me feel pretty good,” said Miller. Personal Family: Parents, LaVonne and Kenneth Miller; brother Jance (29). Favorite athlete: LeBron James. Favorite team: Cleveland Cavaliers. Hobbies: Hang out with friends and play basketball. Future plans: Attend college. A high school player you enjoyed watching growing up: “I liked watching Matt Martin (Spearfish) when I was a freshman and Chris Knight (Aberdeen Central) was fun to watch too.” Most memorable athletic accomplishment: “Making it to the state championship.”